TWO men, one a police informant, have been jailed for life for the murder of a man whose mutilated body was found in Worsley Woods.

TWO men, one a police informant, have been jailed for life for the murder of a man whose mutilated body was found in Worsley Woods.

Philip Noakes' remains were discovered in December 2003, almost two months after the 30-year-old had gone missing from his home in McCready Drive, Ordsall.

Police informant Stephen McColl, 39, was convicted of his murder after a Liverpool Crown Court jury heard he had developed a hatred for Noakes.

The court heard another man, Daniel Henson, 23, of Gertrude Close, Ordsall, helped in the murder of Noakes by luring him away from his home. He was also given a life sentence.

McColl, of Goodiers Drive, Ordsall, was also found guilty of the murder of 22-year-old Michael Doran, of Stanhope Road, Irlams o'th' Height also a police informant who supplied information about McColl.

Doran accompanied McColl to Scotland and he was never seen again. His body has never been found.

Earlier this year McColl was jailed for 15 years and Henson for 12 years for a series of violent armed robberies, but these convictions could not be reported until the end of this trial.

Speaking after the pair were sentenced, Detective Chief Inspector Shaun Donnellan said: "McColl thought he could get away with two murders with a trail of outright lies. He believed he was above the law, but the jury has told him that he was not. Daniel Henson allowed himself to be drawn into McColl's web of lies and murder. The bodies of Philip Noakes and Michael Doran were both disposed of in the hope they would never be discovered. Philip Noakes' family at least has been able to give his body a funeral service.

"Michael Doran's family has never had that. I am asking McColl to meet with me and identify the location."

Philip Noakes' mother said: "He was a good son who will be much missed by his children who will now never get to see their dad as they grow up."

Michael Doran's mother Anne Doran said: "Michael was no saint. He was in and out of trouble with the police. I do not condone any of this - he was a foolish young lad but he was a friend to anyone who showed him kindness or who needed him."

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